HEP 452 Module 4 Discussion Transformational Leadership

The Green Bronx Machine is a good example of health advocacy in that it works to promote health by training the local people on how to be creative while at the same time using technology and creativity to produce a healthy meal. According to Ritz, the program integrates students from different backgrounds, especially those from poor backgrounds (Ritz, 2012). Through the Green Bronx Machine program, individuals are able to grow their own food from a limited space, which has not only created jobs for the local members of the community but has also provided the local community with a chance to eat healthily.

Transformational leadership tends to, “treat leadership as a process that occurs between leaders and followers and provides an expanded picture that includes not only the exchange of rewards but also leaders’ attention to the needs and growth of followers” (Butterfoss, 2007). Based on this, transformational leaders tend to work with the team members in an effort to grow their process together as the leader aims at motivating the team members to achieve their set objectives.

After completing the “Are you a transformational leader?” for Stephan Ritz, the results suggest that Ritz is a transformational leader in that he is a great communicator of his vision, motivating his students, and moving forward his agenda in his community. Ritz is seen to have a genuine passion for his idea, and as such he perceives that his program will be of great benefit to the community (Ritz, 2012). Since he cares about transforming the eating habits of the local community, he has tried as hard as possible to train more students in his program and link them with construction personnel so that they can earn from the program. It is amazing to see his students receiving their first salary through the program.

Ritz scored high in all the categories including idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration. According to my evaluation, Ritz scored 12 points in all four factors as he is a great role model to his students, a great motivator, and trusts his students to complete tasks with minimal supervision (Ritz, 2012). All these actions and behaviors are traits of a transformational leader, and therefore, I consider Ritz to be a transformational leader who is dedicated to giving his best to reach his goals while motivating others to do so (Butterfoss, 2007).

References

Butterfoss, F. D. (2007). Coalitions and partnerships in community health. Jossey-Bass.

Ritz, S. (2012). Green Bronx machine – growing our way into a new economy: Stephen Ritz at tedxmanhattan. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcSL2yN39JMLinks to an external site.